On the island of St Barth there is a beach called Saline. In the middle of the crescent, there is a part of the shore that is quite steep, so when the waves climb up, they end up turning around and rushing back into the sea. These reverse surges meet the coming waves and clash, shooting water up into the air and making a wonderful water-clap sound. It’s pretty beautiful.

This was my buddy Michael. I was hanging on Saline, minding my own business and reading a book, when he comes up and taps me on the shoulder. He says something in French, notices my confused look, thinks for a minute, then says “Hey! You gotta come play with me! … well let’s go!”.

I have been chosen. How can you refuse? 

We played in that ocean until I was exhausted; he taught me that when the waves come, you HAVE to belly flop into them. That’s just what you gotta do. The water-claps would swallow him up, he’d disappear for a few seconds, then pop up way over there, gasping for air because he was laughing so hard. It was an unexpected blast of a day.

1 March 2 Permalink

St Barths. road to Saline looking out over Grand Fond

1 March 2 Permalink

The blinking cursor at the end is tapping it’s foot asking me to finally settle on the bridge. I feel like it’s been speeding up, rushing tempo and getting impatient with me, but I have to make sure it’s right…

19 February 1 Permalink